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Lebanon County Farm-City celebration: Editor is an optimist about agriculture

By STEVE SNYDER

Lebanon Daily News

Updated:
11/08/2012 10:46:40 PM EST

Keynote speaker Andy Vance, right, an Ohio native and editor of agribusiness weekly Feedstuffs, chats with members of the Little Dutchmen Future Farmers of America Thursday night prior to the start of the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce s annual Farm-City Banquet at Midway Church of the Brethren. (Jeremy Long / Lebanon Daily News)

Andy Vance anticipates a bright future for agriculture and the nation.

We might go through a rough patch getting there, but those struggles won't last too much longer, he told a packed house at the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce's annual Farm-City Banquet at Midway Church of the Brethren Thursday night.

Referring to President Barack Obama's re-election, Vance said, "He gets the picture that while the Electoral College shows signs of a mandate, the popular vote does not. ... This means, I think, when Speaker (of the House) John Boehner sits down with the president, they will get a deal done."

Vance, an Ohio native, said Boehner "is one of the more bipartisan men (in Washington). Agriculture has always been bipartisan. We just have regional differences."

An Ohio State University graduate and former radio broadcaster for the Agri Broadcast Network, Vance is editor of Feedstuffs, a national weekly newspaper of agribusiness.

"What we have problems with is a willingness to understand," Vance said. "So many people ... don't want to understand."

Relationships are important to improving communication, Vance said, "like Bob (Phillips) and John (Harrell) built in their exchange."

Phillips, a Lebanon County commissioner and insurance business owner, and Harrell, a South Annville Township hog and grain farmer, participated in the Chamber's annual Farm-City exchange. A video narrated by Randy Ebersole and produced by Donna Blouch highlighted the days Phillips spent on Harrell's farm and Harrell visited with Phillips in meetings.

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Vance praised the Kraig and Meranda Sellers family, who opened their farm for Southeast Elementary School fifth-graders and the general public to visit last month, and he recognized Plasterer Equipment, which received the Century Business Award for its 100 years of selling agriculture equipment, and Dale and Denise Snyder, who received the Century Farm Award for keeping their South Lebanon Township farm in agriculture.

"Every farm needs to install more glass," Vance said, "so when we have questions we can go see what's happening."

Through a show of hands, Vance demonstrated that most of the close-to-300 people in the room were within one or two generations of being connected to a farm.

"Relationships help to instill trust that allow us to face big issues," he said.

"We're going to need young people like Royelle," he said, referring to Royelle Bashore, the Lebanon County Dairy Princess, who, assisted by members of the dairy court, presented a skit about milk and dairy products.

"I used to wear that stylish blue corduroy myself," Vance added, noting FFA members in attendance. "I believe in the future of agriculture."

Then, speaking to the older members of the audience, he said, "We need to do a better job as parents. We as a society have to do a better job for my daughter, the FFA kids, your kids. As a society, we're not doing a good enough job setting an example."

Vance suggested that Farm-City week "should be 52 weeks out of the year."

"I was born an optimist and I will die an optimist," he said. "I just don't want to die tomorrow. I believe we have a bright future in front of us."

Tara Fisher received the first Farm-City Committee Scholarship, a $500 award. Fisher is a student at the University of Vermont and the daughter of Terry and Susan Fisher of Jonestown.

The Lebanon County Conservation District presented the following awards: Conservation Landowner of the Year - Mervin and Louise Horst and family; Lebanon County Special Recognition Award for Conservation - South Londonderry Township Board of Supervisors, Environmental Advisory Committee and residents of the township; Lebanon County Conservation Educator of the Year - Richard Moore, Cedar Crest Young Farmer advisor; Lebanon County Special Recognition Award for Conservation - Tom Powers; Lebanon County Conservationist of the Year - county Commissioner Jo Ellen Litz.